What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Abide vs Linger - What's the difference?

abide | linger | Synonyms |

In intransitive terms the difference between abide and linger

is that abide is to endure; to remain; to last while linger is to remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.

As verbs the difference between abide and linger

is that abide is to wait in expectation while linger is to stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

abide

English

Verb

  • *
  • *:Abide you here with the asse.
  • (label) To stay; to continue in a place; to remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to be left.
  • *
  • *:Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
  • *
  • *:Let the damsel abide with us a few days.
  • (label) To endure; to remain; to last.
  • *1998 , Narrator ((Sam Elliot)), The Big Lebowski (film):
  • *:"The Dude abides ."
  • (label) To stand ready for; to await for someone; watch for.
  • *:
  • *:Allas sayd she that euer I sawe yow / but he that suffred vpon the crosse for alle mankynde he be vnto yow good conduyte and saufte / and alle the hole felauship / Ryght soo departed Launcelot / & fond his felauship that abode his comyng / and so they mounted on their horses / and rode thorou the strete of Camelot
  • *
  • *:Bonds and afflictions abide me.
  • *
  • (label) To endure without yielding; to withstand; await defiantly; to encounter; to persevere.
  • :
  • *
  • (label) To await submissively; accept without question; submit to.
  • *William Shakespeare, Richard II
  • *:To abide thy kingly doom.
  • (label) To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with; stand.
  • *
  • *:She could not abide Master Shallow.
  • (label) To pay for; to stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for; to atone for.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * (bear patiently) Used in the negative form can't abide is used to indicate strong dislike.

    Related terms

    * abide by * abidest

    See also

    * dwell * live * reside * stay

    References

    English irregular verbs

    linger

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
  • * 1859 , , A Tale of Two Cities , ch. 15:
    • His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument.
  • * 1891 , , "Mrs. Manstey's View":
    • She lingered in the window.
  • * 2011 April 25, Alice Park, " Upgrading the Disaster," Time :
    • It takes into account . . . predictions of how long radioactive contaminants will linger in the soil and water near the nuclear facility.
  • To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
  • * 1887 , , The Woodlanders , ch. 14:
    • He lingered through the day, and died that evening as the sun went down.
  • * 1904 , , "Asmund and Signy" in The Brown Fairy Book :
    • During his absence the queen fell ill, and after lingering for some time she died.
  • (often followed by on) To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytical thinking or discussion.
  • * 2011 April 14, Michael Scherer, " Trump's Political Reality Show: Will the Donald Really Run for President?," Time :
    • Trump doesn't linger on the poll.

    Derived terms

    * lingerer * linger on